The time Sabathia was banned from eating cheesesteaks in Philly clubhouse
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Looking for the best cheesesteaks in Philadelphia? Try the visitors' clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park.
CC Sabathia found that out in 2008 on his first trip to the Phillies’ home park, when the lefty was with the Milwaukee Brewers. Sabathia's brilliant second half after a midseason trade helped the Brewers secure a date with the Phils in the National League Division Series, and vibes were high on the visiting side.
“We were just in a good mood and got a little too excited,” Sabathia told Phillies greats Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins on the first episode of their new podcast. The show, which is titled The 6-1-1 Podcast in honor of Howard and Rollins' uniform numbers during their years playing together on the Phillies, will post new episodes every two weeks, with current and former greats sharing never-before-told stories and behind-the-scenes insight.
Back in 2008, the Brewers' excitement translated to cheesesteaks. Lots of them. Sabathia, first baseman Prince Fielder and outfielder Corey Hart couldn’t stop themselves.
During the three days the Brewers spent in Philly for the NLDS, the trio wolfed down what Sabathia estimated was TWENTY-EIGHT cheesesteaks -- more than three per player per day. The effects … weren’t great (and the Phillies won the series, three games to one).
“You can’t move when you’re eating those things,” Sabathia said.
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When Sabathia returned to Philadelphia with the Yankees for the 2009 World Series, manager Joe Girardi put his foot down, and Sabathia says the skipper banned the cheesesteaks from the visitors' clubhouse.
“Joe took them out of the clubhouse,” Sabathia recalled. “I learned from my experience the year before.”
The 6-1-1 Podcast is available on MLB.com, MLB.TV, all podcast platforms and YouTube.